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It seems that some people spend more time analyzing a vehicle purchase than an online degree purchase. It’s true. Fake online colleges are betting that their students will be too naïve to know the difference between a fake online degree and a real one or they just won’t care.
Buyer Beware: Using a fake degree is now a misdemeanor in Missouri. In some states, using a fake degree is considered fraud and will instantly destroy your credibility.
With the rise in unemployment caused by a weakened economy, online degree mills are hoping you’ll cash-in on their programs so you can get instant credibility for the job of your dreams. With cash-strapped Americans desperate for full-time work, diploma mills and degree mills are setting traps to cash-in on that desperation.
Here are 5 traps to steer clear of when choosing an online college program:
1. You can get your degree in 30 days. This is where degree mills play on your desperation. You cannot feasibly earn a real college degree in a month, so don’t get caught in this trap. The old adage that anything worth having is worth working for rings true in this case. It’s easy to verify the credibility of the degree and if you get caught faking it, you’ll be unemployed very quickly.
2. You can get college credit in exchange for “life experience.” This is another misnomer that diploma mills use to get your attention. No matter how much life experience you have, you cannot receive college credit for it. Many degree mills will cite fake accreditation agencies on their websites to look authentic. Unless it is listed as an authentic accreditation agency by the Department of Education, it is not credible nor is the “degree.”
3. You are charged by the degree, not by the credit hour. It sounds like a great deal so you may be tempted to go for it. Here’s the reality: Colleges charge per credit hour not by the degree. With the changes in the economy, colleges are often forced to raise their tuition rates from year to year. Although they may offer an “estimated” cost for the degree, there’s no way to know for sure what will happen from one year to the next.
4. You are guaranteed a job upon “completion” of the degree. Do you really believe that a college can guarantee job placement? Although they may offer guaranteed job placement assistance, that’s not a guarantee of employment. It merely states that they will help you with your job search. This can mean anything from posting jobs online to helping you with your resume.
5. You are offered a “bargain” rate. A degree for $249? “That’s a steal!” you may say. Yes, it is a steal. Degrees cost money–a lot of money. What you’re buying for this price is a fraudulent piece of paper.
Don’t get caught off-guard when you’re looking for a credible online degree program. The key is that in order to get an authentic college degree, you must earn it. However, don’t be discouraged by the number of diploma mills online. Your best bet is to find a state college or university and enroll in their online programs. If you choose to enroll in a college that is offered completely online, be sure to check their credentials with the Department of Education. Never believe everything you read on a website until you verify the authenticity of the program.
